Best speaker in nearfield listening

I sit 6 feet from my Merlin VSM-M. Sounds great. Very intimate sounding. used ones should fit in your budget.

I sit that close to my Harbeth Compact 7ES. Unbelievable. Really. Depending on finish, about $2200 US new. Good luck. Charlie

I sit 6 Feet from my Gallo Nucleus Reference speakers and the soundstage and imaging is uncanny. It is as if the speakers disappear.

Reference 3a Royal Masters.

Any of the full range Soundlab electro stats are exceptional in the near field. Reason: they are a full range single element; no crossovers, no need to blend seperate drivers. You can listen to them very close almost like giant headphones. Nearfield listening also has the advantage of minimizing room effects from the back wave of the panels.